Turtle, Tortoise and Terrapin Time

Mrs. Nelson brought her turtles, tortoises and terrapins today! I took notes!!!  We were so excited.

Turtles are omnivores

Lay eggs on land  

Shells

Tortoises live on land.  

Turtles live in the water (fresh and salt).

Tortoises are land walkers.  They are FAST!!! 

Pancake Tortoise... the kids giggled

Turtles can hide.  Tortoises cannot hide and pull all body parts in.  

Tortoises will eat a cactus!!!!  

They have no teeth but they crush their food. Even shells of snail.

Some will run and some will hide because they are scared -- OH-- Turtle tried to bite Mrs. Nelson

Pet Provide - food, water, exercise, sunlight...  When this turtle was little the owners didn't take care of him. His shell is now deformed and therefore he is not protected.  

"That's sad!"  

"They could have gone on-line to learn how to take care of him"

Baby - 3 toes - shell scales on the shell called are called scoots.  Every turtle has13 scoots. They can pull all body parts inside the shell.

What have you learned today????

Turtles-  

Body inside the shell

Some live in the ocean

Can hold breath and stay under water for days

Webb feet with claws

Reptiles

Backbone

Need light and food to grow

Walk slower but swim fast

Lay eggs on land

Tortoise-

Eat cactus

Runs because on land

Cannot tuck in shell

Eat plants - herbivores

Live on land

No web feet 

Backbone

Lay eggs

No teeth 

Terrapins

Land and water - lives in both

Reptiles

Girls are bigger than the boys.

Diamond Backs are native and endangered.

On the way out the kids got to pet the Diamond Back Terrapin!

What a cool day!  

~Mrs. Roberts~